Some nice guitar work in that one. I don't think that dude's the best guitarist in the world by any stretch, but he's a pro and he knows how to sound good!
The best, no......I've seen him live a couple of times , and he makes an electric acoustic guitar make the widest variety of sounds that I've ever seen.
Some great lists on here, boys, and I do appreciate the vids. Lots to think about.
But it seems to me that some are nominating the best guitar players who can also sing, which isn't the same thing as saying the musician(s) who are at or near the top as guitarists and as singers. And yet others are nominating the ones who weren't necessarily the most adept technically, but whose art influenced others inordinately.
No question, in that latter category you'd have to put Eric Clapton and Jimmy Hendrix. Neither one was a truly gifted singer, but both have/had pleasing voices and vocal styles that have stood the test of time. But both were truly gifted guitarists; maybe not as adept as some of the amazing masters like John Jorgensen or Tommy Emmanuel, but they were/are technically outstanding. Most important, their styles were so unique when they burst onto the music scene in the 1960s that they influenced others tremendously, and changed the direction of music. The whole concept of the rock n roll guitar hero was founded by Clapton and Hendrix in London in 1968 or so: from "Clapton is God" slogans on the Underground walls, to Hendrix's rocket-ride ascent after his impromptu appearance with Cream, the role of lead guitarist was defined for a generation or more, and everyone who has come along since has followed in their footsteps. You can't listen to a guitar solo any more without hearing the pentatonic echoes of Hendrix and Clapton in it. So my vote is for Hendrix and Clapton on that score.
As for best guitar player who can truly sing as well as he plays, there aren't many. I can count them on one hand with 2 fingers missing. Vince Gill is one, and the only one living. The other two are Glen Campbell and Prince. Of the 3, Glen Campbell was and is probably the top. His live and impromptu playing and singing can be accessed pretty easily now on YouTube... do so, and you'll be blown away. His early work with The Wrecking Crew in L.A. is something most music fans have no clue about. His dexterity on the fretboard was as good as anyone I've ever seen, and I do include John Jorgensen and Roy Clark and Tommy Emmanuel in that assessment. Heady company.
But there are others who nobody has ever heard of, who never got that big break, or who took a wrong turn, or whatever. I've known some amazing guitarist-singers over the past 45 years who could have been contenders for rock-n-roll hall of fame if things had gone a little differently.
Last edited by DocRocket; 11/21/18.
"I'm gonna have to science the schit out of this." Mark Watney, Sol 59, Mars
Some great lists on here, boys, and I do appreciate the vids. Lots to think about.
But it seems to me that some are nominating the best guitar players who can also sing, which isn't the same thing as saying the musician(s) who are at or near the top as guitarists and as singers. And yet others are nominating the ones who weren't necessarily the most adept technically, but whose art influenced others inordinately.
No question, in that latter category you'd have to put Eric Clapton and Jimmy Hendrix. Neither one was a truly gifted singer, but both have/had pleasing voices and vocal styles that have stood the test of time. But both were truly gifted guitarists; maybe not as adept as some of the amazing masters like John Jorgensen or Tommy Emmanuel, but they were/are technically outstanding. Most important, their styles were so unique when they burst onto the music scene in the 1960s that they influenced others tremendously, and changed the direction of music. The whole concept of the rock n roll guitar hero was founded by Clapton and Hendrix in London in 1968 or so: from "Clapton is God" slogans on the Underground walls, to Hendrix's rocket-ride ascent after his impromptu appearance with Cream, the role of lead guitarist was defined for a generation or more, and everyone who has come along since has followed in their footsteps. You can't listen to a guitar solo any more without hearing the pentatonic echoes of Hendrix and Clapton in it. So my vote is for Hendrix and Clapton on that score.
As for best guitar player who can truly sing as well as he plays, there aren't many. I can count them on one hand with 2 fingers missing. Vince Gill is one, and the only one living. The other two are Glen Campbell and Prince. Of the 3, Glen Campbell was and is probably the top. His live and impromptu playing and singing can be accessed pretty easily now on YouTube... do so, and you'll be blown away. His early work with The Wrecking Crew in L.A. is something most music fans have no clue about. His dexterity on the fretboard was as good as anyone I've ever seen, and I do include John Jorgensen and Roy Clark and Tommy Emmanuel in that assessment. Heady company.
But there are others who nobody has ever heard of, who never got that big break, or who took a wrong turn, or whatever. I've known some amazing guitarist-singers over the past 45 years who could have been contenders for rock-n-roll hall of fame if things had gone a little differently.
Well reasoned post James, no surprise there. Will have to check GC out in more depth. Still a huge fan of Wichita lineman and everyday house wife. Without the further research you’ve prompted I’d have given the nod to Prince. Kinda jazzed to go see just what GC had up his sleeve. So thanks
I'm pretty certain when we sing our anthem and mention the land of the free, the original intent didn't mean cell phones, food stamps and birth control.
Sammy can play, I forgot about him. I saw a clip of Sammy, Michael Anthony, and Tommy Lee playing together. Sammy is better known for his singing, but he can play too.
Geddy Lee of Rush......bass guitar, but does it better than most,sings, and plays keyboards with his hands and sometimes his feet. Alex Lifeson is no slouch either.
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